Lycopene
/ˈlaɪ.koʊ.piːn/noun
A bright red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes, watermelon, and other red fruits.
Did you know?Lycopene was named in 1876 from the scientific name of the tomato, *Lycopersicon*, which literally meant "wolf-peach" — a bizarre old botanical label that sounds more occult than chemistry.
Etymological Timeline
1876
English
lycopene
“A red pigment isolated from tomatoes.”
Modern Latin
Latin
lycopersicum
“The tomato, literally "wolf-peach."”
Ancient Greek
Greek
lykos
“Wolf.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
persikon
“A Persian apple or peach.”
Modern English
English
tomato
“The common edible red fruit of the tomato plant.”
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